Page 33 of The Jellybean Dilemma

The bags were full of cheaply made items, and the man had charged Erin over fifteen dollars apiece. It took all my willpower not to just walk away.

Instead, I pinched the bridge of my nose, taking several deep breaths. “I’m sorry, but these just won’t do. Please take them off our order.”

He frowned. “She ordered favor bags. And these are favor bags.”

I tried to keep my tone civil. “This is dollar store crap that won’t impress anyone. You’re overcharging us for cheap shit that took no effort to put together. The service advertised unique favor bags for every occasion, and there is not one unique thing in this, including the bag itself. I’m not paying for them.” I crossed my arms and gave him my fiercest glare.

His face turned a deep red, and he looked ready to blow.

“Excuse me.” Greg stepped up to the counter. “Does Darla still work here? I’m an old friend. Is there any way we could talk to her?”

The man stared at Greg for a long moment before huffing out an annoyed breath. He bit out, “I’ll go get her.” And he disappeared.

I glared at the employee’s back as long as it was visible, then turned to Greg to scold him for interfering. But he spoke first.

“Let me handle this, okay?” Greg said. When I started to protest, he continued, “Just let me give it a shot? If it doesn’t work, you can pick right back up where you left off.” I didn’t agree right away, and he sighed. “How about we bet on it?”

I scoffed, folding my arms. “You’ve been hanging out with Gina too much.” But I was intrigued. “What’d you have in mind?”

“Whoever gets this settled gets to pick three songs the other person has to dance to at the wedding.” He arched an eyebrow, waiting for my reaction. “Deal?”

I nodded. He stuck out his hand, and we shook on it just as a short, stocky woman marched up to the counter. She had the dead eyes of a person who had worked too long in customer service, her mouth pressed into a thin tight line. I smirked to myself. This’ll be fun to watch.

Chapter Ten

The woman’s gaze narrowed as she glanced at me, her voice robotic as she asked, “What seems to be the problem?”

Greg leaned forward ever so slightly, and I didn’t recognize his expression. His lips tipped up in an enticing smile, confidence in every bit of his movement. If I had to name it, I’d have said he was trying to be charming. And damn, did it look good on him. If he ever used that on me, I wasn’t sure my knees would hold me upright.

“Darla?”

Her head swiveled so fast I was surprised she didn’t get whiplash, and recognition dawned. “Greg? Is that you? Oh my word! What in the world are you doing here?”

He grinned smugly in my direction. “My sister’s getting married Friday, so we’re picking up some supplies, and I wanted to say hi. How are things?”

With pink cheeks, she rushed to tell him day to day details. He nodded along, buttering her up until the next break in the conversation.

“So just about everything seems to be great with the order. One of Mandy’s friends put this all together, you see. The only problem is with the favor bags. Mandy had something else in mind, and she’d just be devastated if she didn’t get her way.” He practically batted his eyelashes at her. “I know you put some time and effort into these, but is there any way we could take the favor bags off our order? Pretty please?”

She looked like she was about to swoon. “Of course. I wouldn’t want to upset the bride.” Out came the flimsy bags. She stacked them on the counter, punched in a few buttons on her computer, and gave Greg a sunny smile. “All taken care of.” She handed him a new receipt.

“Oh, Darla, thanks so much. It was great to catch up.” Greg picked up the heavier box, leaving me the lighter one. With one more grin, he strode away.

I hurried after him, not sure if I was annoyed he’d gotten off so easily or happy the problem was solved. Well, maybe solved is too tidy a word. Sure, we hadn’t been charged for the favor bags, but Mandy and Erin were still expecting them.

Greg pushed open the door with his back, taking in my frustrated expression. “Next stop, Raymond’s. We can figure this out over food, okay?”

I had to smile that he’d read my mind. “Okay.”

“Wait here. I’ll bring the car to you.” Then he winked and went out of the door.

I almost dropped the box. By the time he pulled the car up, my heart beat at a normal pace once more. Until he took the box out of my hands and his fingers brushed mine in the process. So much for a normal heart rate.

Just thinking of gripping his arm and sidling up to him had my head reeling. I needed a break from all the flutters, and my poor heart agreed with me. With the car this close, surely I could make the few steps on my own.

Greg shut the trunk as I found out just how wrong I was. Luckily, I went sliding in his direction. I slammed into his solid chest and his arms wrapped around me. I clung to his broad shoulders as his scent washed over me, desire pooling low in my abdomen. His face hovered inches from mine, and I couldn’t help focusing on his lips as I replayed yesterday’s delicious kisses.

“I should be mad you didn’t wait for me, but it’s not every day a beautiful lady throws herself at me.” His voice was huskier than normal. “Doesn’t seem like something I should complain about.” The words were light, belying the tension in his grip and how hard he swallowed when he’d finished speaking.

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